37.2 Paris

Reading is like therapy to me. It’s the best way to unwind in the evening or whilst travelling. I use it to escape the realities of our perishable world and to escape social media. It’s a very welcome haven a peace especially when most of our word is so connected to the internet. Books offer a form of escapism like no other and at times, they even help me understand how I feel through the eyes of a protagonist.

I only read novels, preferably historical ones, and biographies of people that inspire me. In a world that can feel very dark and heavy, there’s nothing wrong with being transported to another world through your favorite novel. 

Here are some of my favourite reads for the summer.

 

Forbidden Notebook by Alba de Céspedes

This is such a beautiful novel about post-war Italy. It studies the place of women in families and within society. The protagonist hides to write her thoughts in her diary, and it becomes apparent how her mind changes and evolves throughout the book, as she tries to get away from the prejudice of the women that surround her.

 

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

An extremely special read of a fictional tale where women exist in a world without men. It explores how a girl can grow up in a solely female surrounding, without any male influence in her life. A beautiful, slightly futuristic novel.

 

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

This has to be one of my most time favorite novels of all times. A love story that is just so insanely strong and and slightly surreal. There is something completely captivating and poetic in the way Garcia writes about love, feelings and South America at the beginning of the 20th century. It will make the most cold hearted cry but it’s not a sad book! 

 

The Nowhere City by Alison Lurie

This novel is an insightful and tellingly funny account of marital dysfunction. A brilliant interpretation of East and West Coast lifestyles and attitudes.

 

Three Summers by Margarita Liberaki

A beautiful coming of age story of three sisters growing up in Greece before the war. Such a light, charming tale of girlhood, love, feelings and nature.

 

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Historical drama fiction is my favorite book genre but it's definitely not for everyone. It's not the easiest read but it’s feels like a must to me. The story is so powerful, I cried all the way through the book. A story of friendship that is just unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

 

Victory City by Salman Rushdie

For the poetic souls who crave fairy tales, this is an incredible novel set in 14th century that recounts the story of a woman who defines a nation. Brilliant. 

 

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

Kundera is a master beautiful storytelling and this is the perfect book for summer reading.

 

 

Bonus books

A quick fire list of books that need no introduction and are a must-reads:

Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin, Educated by Tara Westover, Pelican Girls by Juliy Malye, Disgrace by J. M Coetzee and Trust by Hernan Dias.